Apical Conduit and Methods of Using Same

ABSTRACT

This document discloses novel conduits for telecommunications lines, such as optical fibers. In an aspect, a conduit might have a body defining one or more channels into which optical fibers can be inserted. In another aspect, the body might have a first face that is substantially planar and a second face opposing the first face. The second face might a low-rise arc profile and/or might be configured to be installed into a depression in a material. Also disclosed are methods and tools for installing, using, and/or removing such conduit.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/352,869, filed Nov. 16, 2016, by Elford et al.and titled, “Apical Conduit and Methods of Using Same” (Attorney DocketNo. 020370-003020US), which is a divisional application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/779,488 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,531,174), filedFeb. 27, 2013, by Elford et al. and titled, “Apical Conduit and Methodsof Using Same” (Attorney Docket No. 020370-003010US) which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/636,227, filedApr. 20, 2012, by Elford et al. and titled, “Apical Conduit And MethodsOf Using Same” (Attorney Docket No. 020370-003001US) and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/604,020, filed Feb. 28, 2012, byElford et al. and titled, “Apical Conduit And Methods Of Using Same”(Attorney Docket No. 020370-003000US) all of which are herebyincorporated by reference, as if set forth in full in this document, forall purposes; and

The respective disclosures of these applications are incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety for all purposes.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in general, to apical conduits andmethods for using the same, and, more particularly, to apical conduitsfor installation of telecommunications cables on a roadway and methodsfor using the same.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, telecommunications cables are either relayed viatelecommunications poles above ground or are laid underground.Above-ground cables, however, are susceptible to damage by naturaloccurrences (e.g., wind, rain, storms, lightning, falling trees,rock/land-slides, etc.) and/or by man-made occurrences (e.g., low-flyingaircraft, land vehicles, construction equipment, etc.). Undergroundcables are generally insulated from some of these natural and man-madeoccurrences, but incur significantly greater costs in time, money, andman-power to install.

Hence, there is a need for more cost-efficient techniques and tools toinstall telecommunications cables and other lines at or below groundlevel.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various embodiments provide techniques to enable installation oftelecommunications cables (e.g., telephone cables, network cables,television cables, etc.) at or slightly below ground level, using apicalan apical conduit. In some instances, the cables can be installed in asurface of a roadway or pathway, etc. In one aspect, certain embodimentscan allow cable to be run at ground level (e.g., on the ground surface)inside a protective conduit. In another aspect, some embodiments canallow cable to be run slightly below ground level (e.g., in a shallowtrench or groove cut into the surface) inside a protective conduit, thetop surface of which might be generally flush with the ground surface.Such embodiments can provide the advantages of belowground cableinstallation (e.g., protection from elements, protection of sitelines,protection from cuts, etc.) without the high cost of deep trenching ortunneling normally incurred by such installations.

Some embodiments provide conduits for cables, such as telecommunicationlines (e.g., optical fiber, etc.). An exemplary conduit might comprise abody defining one or more channels into which optical fibers can beinserted. In an aspect, the body might have a first face that issubstantially planar and a second face opposing the first face. Inanother aspect of some embodiments, the second face has a low rise arcprofile and/or can be configured to be installed into a depression in amaterial, such as a roadway surface (to name one example). In such aconfiguration, the first face can be disposed substantially flush with asurface of the material when the conduit is installed in a firstconfiguration.

In one aspect, certain embodiments of the conduit can be configurable tobe placed in a second configuration, in which the first, substantiallyplanar, face is placed on the surface of the material, such that thesecond face presents a low profile to traffic traveling over the conduitwhen the conduit is installed in the second configuration. In anotheraspect of certain embodiments, the second face can have a support ribextending from the second face away from the body. The second face cancorrespond to a groove in a conduit form created by the depression inthe material, such that when the conduit is installed in the firstconfiguration, the support rib extends into a groove in the material,e.g., to prevent displacement of the conduit relative to the conduitform. This rib can also provide additional bonding surface between theconduit and the conduit form.

Another set of embodiments provides tools and techniques for installingand/or removing such conduit. An exemplary method comprises creating, ina surface of a material, a conduit form with a conduit installation tooland installing a conduit into the conduit form. The conduit might be aconduit such as that described above. In some cases, the method canfurther comprise inserting a telecommunication line (e.g., an opticalfiber) into a channel in the conduit. Alternatively and/or additionally,the method can further comprise removing the conduit with a conduitremoval tool.

Another set of embodiments provides conduit installation tools,including without limitation a conduit installation tool for installinga conduit into a material having a surface. The conduit can a first facethat is substantially planar and a second face opposing the first faceand having a low rise arc profile. The tool might comprise a centralaxle and a conduit form profiler configured to create, in the material,a conduit form to receive the second face of the conduit, the conduitform allowing the conduit to be placed into the material such that thefirst face is substantially flush with the surface of the material. Insome cases, the conduit can have a support rib extending from the secondface, and the conduit form profiler might include a rib cutterconfigured to create a groove in the material to receive the supportrib.

Still a further set of embodiments provides conduit removal tools,including without limitation a conduit removal tool for removing conduitfrom a conduit form in a material into which the conduit is installed.In an aspect, the conduit might a first face that is substantiallyplanar and a second face opposing the first face and having a low risearc profile. The conduit might be installed in a conduit form in thematerial matching the low rise arc profile. The conduit removal toolmight comprise a leading edge having a shape corresponding to the lowrise arc profile of the second face and/or an attachment mechanism tocouple the conduit removal tool with a machine to provide locomotion forthe conduit removal tool, to engage the leading face with the conduitform and thereby remove the conduit from the material, as the leadingedge travels along a length of the conduit form. In some cases, if theconduit further comprises a support rib extending from the second faceaway from the body of the conduit, the leading edge of the conduitremoval tool might further comprise a cutting mechanism to remove thesupport rib from the second face, thereby leaving the support rib inplace in the material while allowing removal of the remainder of theconduit.

Yet another set of embodiments pertains to an apical conduit system suchas an apical fiber plant system. In one embodiment, the system cancomprise a groove formed in a roadway surface, one or moretelecommunication lines positioned in the groove, and a capping materialdisposed at least partially in the groove to protect the one or moretelecommunication lines. Similarly, a method of installingtelecommunication lines might comprise creating a groove in a roadwaysurface, positioning the one or more telecommunication lines in thegroove, and/or disposing a capping material at least partially in thegroove to protect the one or more telecommunication lines.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the embodimentsdiscussed without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, while the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments havingdifferent combination of features and embodiments that do not includeall of the above described features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of particularembodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions ofthe specification and the drawings, in which like reference numerals areused to refer to similar components. In some instances, a sub-label isassociated with a reference numeral to denote one of multiple similarcomponents. When reference is made to a reference numeral withoutspecification to an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to allsuch multiple similar components.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 3 illustrate apical conduits in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate apparatus for installing an apical conduit, inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate apparatus for removing an apical conduit, inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate an apical conduit configured to employ buttsplice tubes, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a conduit chaseway system, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 12 illustrates a conduit installation method, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a transition connector for an apical conduit, inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method of using anapical conduit, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate apical conduits, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates an apical fiber plant system, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 17 illustrates a staging device that can be used with variousembodiments of an apical fiber plant system.

FIG. 18 illustrates a staging clip that can be used with variousembodiments of an apical fiber plant system.

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate an apical fiber plant system in accordancewith various embodiments, which includes a transition to a direct-buriedfiber or microduct.

FIG. 20 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method of installingtelecommunication lines, in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

While various aspects and features of certain embodiments have beensummarized above, the following detailed description illustrates a fewexemplary embodiments in further detail to enable one of skill in theart to practice such embodiments. The described examples are providedfor illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent to oneskilled in the art, however, that other embodiments of the presentinvention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Inother instances, certain structures and devices are shown in blockdiagram form. Several embodiments are described herein, and whilevarious features are ascribed to different embodiments, it should beappreciated that the features described with respect to one embodimentmay be incorporated with other embodiments as well. By the same token,however, no single feature or features of any described embodimentshould be considered essential to every embodiment of the invention, asother embodiments of the invention may omit such features.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers used herein to expressquantities, dimensions, and so forth used should be understood as beingmodified in all instances by the term “about.” In this application, theuse of the singular includes the plural unless specifically statedotherwise, and use of the terms “and” and “or” means “and/or” unlessotherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term “including,” as wellas other forms, such as “includes” and “included,” should be considerednon-exclusive. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompassboth elements and components comprising one unit and elements andcomponents that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically statedotherwise.

A set of embodiments 100 provides apical conduits, which can reduce thecost of placement of telecommunication lines (e.g., fiber optic cables),particularly within residential areas (although other applications arecontemplated as well). Normal non-aerial fiber placement mechanismsrequire costly trenching as well as driveway boring. The use of apicalconduit can greatly reduce these costs. In an aspect, an embodiment cancomprise a conduit that has a cross sectional area bounded by a relativeflat (e.g., substantially planar) surface on one side and a low-rise arcon the opposing side. The conduit can be constructed of any appropriatematerial (including various plastics, etc.) and can be sized perapplication. In an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, the conduit mighthave a width of approximately 5″ and a depth of between ½″ and 1″.

The length of the conduit will generally depend on the application, butthe conduit may be manufactured and/or distributed on spools, such thatan appropriate length of conduit can be removed from the spool perapplication and can be cut to length. One skilled in the art shouldappreciate, however, that the conduit can take any form, and anyinstallation technique can be used, so long as the conduit is installedon a surface of the underlying material and/or is installed into adepression in the material, with the top surface of the conduit beinggenerally flush, in some cases, with a surface of the material.

Merely by way of example, FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a cross section ofan apical conduit in two different modes of installation. (It should benoted that, in an aspect, the same conduit can be used in both modes ofinstallation, depending on the implementation and site-specificcharacteristics.) As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the apical conduit 105 (ofwidth “w”) can be placed on a surface 110 (e.g., a road surface) withthe planar surface 105 a down, optionally using glue (or otheradhesives, or mechanical fasteners, etc.) 115 to adhere the conduit 105to the surface 110. This implementation requires minimal sitepreparation, and the low rise arc profile 105 b of the top surfaceallows traffic to pass over the conduit 105 with minimal interference tothe traffic and with minimal damage to the conduit 105 (or the contentsof the conduit, e.g., optical fibers). In an aspect, the conduit 105might comprise channels 120 (of diameter “d₁”) for individualcommunication lines (e.g., optical fibers, twisted pair copper lines,etc.) or any other type of cable (such as low-voltage electrical cable,traffic monitoring loops, etc.), as illustrated by the circles 120 shownin the cross sections of FIGS. 1A and 1B. (It should be appreciated ofcourse, that the channels 120, while shown as having a circular crosssection in the figures, can have any suitable cross-sectional shape.)

In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the conduit 105might be placed in a prepared (or pre-existing) trench or depression125, etc., with the arched surface 105 b facing downward. The profile ofthe depression 125 is referred to herein as the “conduit form,” in thatthe profile corresponds to the non-planar surface 105 b of the conduit105. In some aspects, the depression 125 might be configured so that theflat surface 105 a of the conduit 105 is flush with the surface 110 ontowhich the conduit 105 is placed. Once again, the conduit 105 can beglued, fastened, and/or otherwise adhered to the surface 110 via glue,mechanical fasteners, or other adhesives 115.

In an embodiment, an apical conduct 105 can be constructed of materialsuitable for placement in areas such as roadways, parking lots, streets,sidewalks, etc. The conduit 105 has a profile requiring minimalplacement costs. The conduit 105 could feature coloring, texturing orother design elements, to provide good aesthetic appearance for thesurrounding environment. Additionally, coloring could be such that it isrecognized as fiber placement. In addition or in the alternative,lettering describing “Do Not Dig” or other warnings including symbolsmay be imprinted on or attached to the conduit 105.

In certain situations, the conduit 105 may be subject to externalpressures that may cause the glue bond of adhesive 115 to weaken and/orbreak. In such cases, a conduit 105 might benefit from additionalstabilization. As illustrated by FIGS. 2A and 2B, for example, a conduit105 that is bonded to a surface 110 (as shown in FIG. 2A) might becomedestabilized or displaced if the bonding fails (as shown in FIG. 2B).This failure can expose the conduit 105 (and/or the contents thereof) toadditional stress, damage, etc. Accordingly, some embodiments canprovide additional features to stabilize the conduit 105 in theinstallation location. Merely by way of example, some embodiments mightinclude one or more structural ribs 130 that help keep the conduit 105in the trench or conduit form 125. The structural ribs 130 may be formedfrom any type of rigid or semi-rigid materials such as rubber, rubberencased metals, fiberglass, etc. The structural ribs 130, in addition tohelping prevent the conduit 105 from twisting, or slipping outside theconduit form, etc., can also allow a larger gluing surface, whichimproves bond strength. FIG. 3 illustrates one such embodiment.

The conduit form 125 (i.e., the groove or depression into which conduit105 is installed), such as that generated in asphalt pavement, can bemade via an apical form tool 135. In one aspect, an apical form tool 135can be constructed to mirror the form factor of the apical conduit 105being installed. There could be variations in apical forms dependingupon specific vendor implementations. Merely by way of example, FIGS. 4and 5 illustrate (with a front view and a cross-sectional side view,respectively) an apical form tool 135 in accordance with a set ofembodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the apical form tool 135comprises a solid form 140, mimicking the shape of apical conduit 105,that is attached to a suitable roller drum 145, which is affixed to anasphalt or other roller via arms 155 and axle 160. This attachment couldbe permanent (i.e., welded-on or integral to a roller drum 145) orsemi-permanent (e.g., bolted-on). There may be one or more apicalconduit forms 140 installed per roller drum 145 to allow for parallelconduit placement. In some embodiments, the apical form tool 135 mayfurther comprise a structural rib form 150 that mimics the shape of theone or more structural ribs 130.

The apical form tool 135 may be integral to a self-powered machine suchas an asphalt roller, an attachment to a machine such as a front-endhydraulic-based system, a pull-behind tool similar to a tractorimplement, a hand-tool, or other mechanisms. The apical form tool 135often will require adequate pressure to displace the surface materialand smooth displaced material so as not to create hazards. For example,a simple hand-tool may be constructed to allow the formation of theconduit form in wet concrete. The nature of the surface material wherethe apical conduit 105 is being installed will dictate the type ofinstallation tool. Depending upon the type of material where the conduit105 is to be installed, additional installation tools may be conjoinedto create an installation system.

In one example, the conduit 105 is being placed into asphalt, a torchmay be used prior to installation and in conjunction with the apicalform tool 135 to preheat the asphalt, to make the asphalt moremalleable. In another iteration, following the use of the apical formtool 135, displaced material is cut, scraped or otherwise removed fromthe area surrounding conduit 105, prior to installation of the apicalconduit 105. In another iteration, the apical form tool 135 may beintegral within a single machine or may be a composite of machines thatmake the conduit form, glue the conduit 105, install the conduit 105,and potentially cure the glue 115.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate (again, from a front view and a cross-sectionalside view, respectively) an apical form tool in accordance with anotherset of embodiments. The apical form tool 135 illustrated by FIGS. 6 and7 might comprise a modified grinder tool 140 that mimics the apicalconduit physical form. The grinder tool 140 could be made out of anymaterial that is suitable for removing the material into which theconduit 105 is to be installed. For example, the conduit 105 may beplaced in concrete, which might favor the use of diamond-impregnatedcutting edge.

In an aspect, such an apical form tool 135 could be constructed asmultiple cutting disks 135 a similar in nature to grinder disks, sawblades or other types of cutting tools. Such cutting disks 135 a canhave varying radii to create a form matching the profile 105 b of theconduit 105 to be installed in the form. Disks 135 a may also containridges or other structural components such as friction pads, which canallow them to act as single unit and help disperse cutting loaduniformly across each disk and the entire package of disks forming theapical form tool 135.

Alternatively and/or additionally, the disks 135 a may be joined, (e.g.,bolted or other) together via bolts (or other suitable device forjoining components) 165 or may contain a key/key-slot 170 which engagesa key-slot 170 a and key 170 b (respectively) on the arbor 145. In otherembodiments, the apical form tool 135 might comprise a single unitformed in the shape of the apical conduit 105 with cutting materials(such as industrial diamonds) attached to the form to provide thecutting action. One or more form tools 135 of this type may beimplemented on the arbor 145 to allow parallel placement of conduits105. The cutting tool may be powered and/or controlled by any type ofpower source such as direct drive motor, chain driven sprocket toexternal motor, transmission/clutch, etc. The design can also includeany type of required or advisable safety mechanisms such as guards,shields, etc.

For various reasons, an apical conduit 105 may need to be removed. FIGS.8 and 9 illustrate an exemplary apical conduit removal tool (ACRT) inaccordance with a set of embodiments. The ACRT 175 can be constructed ofstrong material such as steel. In an aspect, the ACRT 175 (or a portionthereof, such as a leading edge) might be formed in the shape of theapical conduit 105. The profile size of the ACRT is approximately thesame size of the conduit form or slightly smaller.

The ACRT 175, as shown, could be placed as a leading tool on a machine,such as an attachment on a front-end loader. Alternatively, the toolcould be placed anywhere on a machine such as a tractor, as indicated bythe design of the particular embodiment. In some cases, the ACRT 175could employ a vibration mechanism to cause the tool to vibrate, whichcan enable cutting teeth 175 a on the leading edge of the tool. Thecutting teeth 175 a on the ACRT 175 can be used to saw or slice throughstructural ribs 130 and/or break the glue bond between the conduit 105and the installation surface 110.

The ACRT 175 may have one or more pivot points 175 b where directionalalignment can be made. Alignment may be made by any means possible suchas pistons, screw rods, or other. A variation in this design, not shown,is that the guide (illustrated on FIG. 9) may be directionally angled orotherwise shaped to allow the conduit 105 to exit the tool in a specificdirection.

The ACRT 175 may be used in conjunction with other tools in an apicalconduit removal system. In one variation, a torch may be used precedingthe ACRT 175 to heat the glue 115 thereby weakening the gluing bond. Inanother variation, a conduit reclamation tool may be used in conjunctionwith the ACRT 175 to automatically pick-up and recover the conduit 105.In another iteration, a separate machine may enjoin the system tofill-in the open apical conduit form 125 (i.e., the trench 125) afterthe conduit 105 has been removed.

A variation on ACRT 175, not shown, may include one or more slots in theleading edge of the tool, extending rearward, of sufficient size thatcorrespond to each of the structural ribs 130 of the conduit 105. Theslot(s) allow the structural rib 130 to stay intact with the removedconduit 105 rather than being cut-off. This type of ACRT 175 would allowrecovery and reuse of the apical conduit 105.

In some cases, it may be necessary to join multiple sections of conduits105. (Merely by way of example, in some cases, the conduit 105 might bemanufactured in relatively short sections, rather than as a length on aspool, or a large span might require more conduit 105 than is availableon a single spool.) Accordingly, in a set of embodiments, a section ofconduit 105 might be configured to facility joining that section withother sections. For instance, in one embodiment, illustrated by FIGS.10A-10D, two sections of conduit can be joined using a butt splicetechnique using a butt splice 180.

In the illustrated embodiment, butt splices 180 are used whereindividual apical conduits 105 are joined. For each apical conduit 105,the individual channels 120 (referred to as “individual conduits” onFIGS. 10A-10D) within an apical conduit 105 are enlarged (from adiameter “d₁,” as shown in FIG. 1A, to, e.g., diameter “d₂,” as shown inFIG. 10A) to accept a tube 185. In an aspect, as shown, e.g., in FIG.10C, only an end portion 120 a of the channel 120 might be enlarged;this end portion, for example, can be approximately half the length ofthe butt splice tube 185 itself, so that half of the butt splice tube185 can be inserted in a channel 120 of one section of conduit 105 andthe other half of the butt splice tube 185 can be inserted into achannel 120 of an adjoining section 105. In such a case, when the twosections 105 are adjoined, the butt splice tube 185 extends from theinternal end of the enlarged end portion of one channel 120 to theinternal end of the enlarged end portion of the other channel.

Correspondingly, in some embodiments, the tube 185 is sized such that onthe interior of the tube 185, a smooth transition is made between theconduit 105 (and the channel(s) 120) and the tube 185. For example, theouter cross-sectional diameter of the butt splice tube 185 might be thesame (to within whatever tolerance is appropriate) as the (inner)cross-sectional diameter d₂ of the enlarged portion of the channel,while the inner cross-sectional diameter could be the same as the(inner) cross-sectional diameter d₁ of the un-enlarged portion 120 b ofthe channel 120. (One skilled in the art will appreciate that, forchannels with non-circular cross-sectional shapes, the term “diameter”in the above discussion can be replaced by appropriate dimensions forthe cross-sectional shape.) This smooth transition can allow easierinstallation of the fiber and/or other cables, e.g., by preventing snagsduring the pulling of cables. The individual Apical conduits 105 arebutt spliced when the tubes 185 are inserted into one conduit 105 (e.g.,by moving the tubes 185 in the x direction as shown in FIG. 10C), andthe second conduit 105 is joined to the first conduit 105 by the tubes185 (e.g., by moving the second conduit 105 in the x direction as shownin FIG. 10C, to connect with the tubes 185 in the first conduit 105).

In one embodiment, the enlargements to channels 120 of apical cableconduits 105 to accept the tube 185, may be made at the factory as partof the conduit forming process. In another embodiment, the enlargementsmay be made using a tool, such as a drill, at installation time.

In one embodiment, the tube 185 may consist of individual tubes 185; onefor each individual channel 120. In another embodiment, the tubes 185may be a single unit consisting of multiple tubes 185 properly spaced tomatch the conduit 105. Tubes 185 may be held in place due to side-wallpressure of the Apical conduit materials and/or tubes 185 may bepermanently bonded to one and/or the other Apical conduits 105 usingglue or other bonding agents.

FIG. 11 illustrates a multi-piece conduit chaseway system 200. Thechaseway 205 consists of shear-able protective cap (“SPC”) 210, anembedded conduit chaseway, and one or more individual conduits (i.e.,channels 120, as described above) contained within the chaseway 205. Themulti-piece conduit chaseway 205 may be installed using exemplary toolsas described above. The SPC 210 can have varying widths or thickness;for example, widths and thicknesses could vary due to engineering and/orbusiness needs, such as providing a reflective lane marker on the edgeof a highway. In this exemplary diagram, a support ledge 215 is shown inthe profile of the system as shown in FIG. 11; however, the SPC 210 maybe approximately the same width as the chaseway 205. The SPC 210 canserve multiple purposes such as protection against damage if struck by asnow plow or other roadway maintenance vehicle. The SPC 210 mayconstructed such as to mimic roadway lane markers and/or allow theattachment of roadway marker reflective tape or other designations asdescribed earlier.

In accordance with various embodiments, the profile of chaseway 205 canbe constructed in a variety of shapes and sizes, for example, accordingto implementation-specific criteria. In an aspect, the chaseway 205might contain one or more individual conduits (i.e., channels 120, asdescribed above). The chaseway 205 may be hollow, allowing either directcable placement or placement of individual conduits (e.g., channels 120,etc.) loosely contained within. Alternatively, chaseway 205 may beconstructed such that individual conduits (i.e., channels 120) aresemi-permanent and/or permanently mounted within. The chaseway 205 maybe constructed in multiple pieces to allow the conjoining of parts tocreate the chaseway 205. This co-joining could be constructed in such afashion, such as snap-together parts, to allow easy installation and/orremoval of cables or individual conduits.

The chaseway 205 and SPC 210 may be loosely connected. In oneembodiment, connections may be made via glue. In another embodiment,connections could be made via shear-able connectors. In anotherembodiment, the individual units may be created to snap-apart. Thechaseway 205 and/or SPC 210 may be semi-permanently and/or permanentlyattached to the installation surface using glue, screws, pins, or anyother type of attachment. The chaseway 205 and SPC 210 may have the sameand/or different attachment methods. The chaseway 205 and SPC 210 may bemade out of any material suitable to meet the requirements of theinstallation area. In one embodiment, the chaseway 205 may beconstructed of fiberglass and the SPC 210 constructed of malleableplastics.

FIG. 12 illustrates an installation technique for cables (e.g.,communication lines such as optical fibers, etc.). The illustratedinstallation technique 300 can employ any of the conduit system 100and/or the chaseway system 200 described above. In the illustratedtechnique 300, an angular cut/trench 305 is made such that a chaseway310 (which may include chaseway 190, one or more channels 120 directlyburied in the ground 315, or one of more cables directly buried in theground 315) can be placed in the ground 315 under a protective surface320 such as a roadway, sidewalk, asphalt path or other surface. Thisinstallation method 300 allows cables to be installed in a somewhatprotected location, under a structure 320 such as a roadway, etc.,without requiring disturbance of the overlying structure. The conduitchaseway 310 could be of any material, shape or size, as required. In analternative installation method, a direct buried cable such as atelecommunications fiber/fiber bundle cable could be placed in the cut305.

In an aspect, the cut 305 can be backfilled after the conduit/cable(s)310 have been installed. The backfill could be of any material, bothnatural and/or man-made. The installation trenching device could be astand-alone device or a composite machine that performs thecut/trenching, and/or cable installation and/or backfill.

FIG. 13 illustrates another application of an apical conduit. In method400, rather than boring under roadway, sidewalk, driveway, or othersurface 320 (as shown in FIG. 12), an apical conduit 105 (e.g., asdescribed above) may be used. Often cables 405 will be direct buried andwill need to transition from buried depth to the apical conduit 105. Anapical conduit transition connector (APTC) 410, as illustrated by FIG.13, can be used to facilitate this transition. The APTC 410 helpsprotect the cable 405 from damage such as caused by grass edging toolsor the like.

The APTC 410 may be a various height dimensional sizes, with aconnection profile similar to the apical conduit 105 to allow seamlessmating of the APTC 410 to the apical conduit 105. Butt Splice connectionmethods and capabilities (e.g., as described above with respect to FIG.10) may be used at one or both ends of the APTC 410.

The APTC 410 may be constructed of any material suitable for theinstallation and desired protection. The APTC 410 may incorporate one ormore bend radii to allow simpler cable installation, depending upon typeof cable being installed type. In one embodiment, the APTC 410 has bendradii that conform to minimum fiber bend standards allowed by the fibermanufacturer. In another embodiment, the APTC 410 may be constructedfrom flexible materials that allow the formation during installation.The APTC 410 and/or Apical Conduits 105, tubes 185 or chaseway 310 mayincorporate friction-reducing coatings to allow simpler cableinstallations.

At or near its end-point, the APTC 410 may contain a cable transitioncapability to allow the interconnection of a direct buried cable 405 toAPTC 410. In one embodiment, this transition capability may be thetermination of the outer sheath of the direct buried cable and theflow-thru of internal cables into and through the APTC 410. In anotherembodiment, the APTC 410 may contain a small splice cabinet, allowingthe interconnection of separate cables within the APTC 410.

FIG. 14 illustrates a method of using an apical conduit, in accordancewith a set of embodiments. While the method 500 illustrated by FIG. 14can be implemented by (and, in some cases, are described below withrespect to) the embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 1-13 (orcomponents thereof), these methods may also be implemented using anysuitable hardware implementation. Similarly, while the embodimentsdescribed with respect to FIGS. 1-13 (and/or components thereof) canoperate according to the method 500 of FIG. 14, such embodiments canalso be used in other processes and methods not described with respectto FIG. 14.

The method 500 of FIG. 14 comprises creating a conduit form with aconduit installation tool (block 505). As noted above, the operation ofthe conduit installation tool can vary depending on the nature of thetool. Merely by way of example, in some cases, the tool might applypressure to the material (e.g., for materials such as asphalt) todisplace a portion of the material to create the conduit form, and/orcreating the conduit form might comprise heating the surface of thematerial before applying pressure to the material. In other cases, theconduit installation tool might comprise cutting or grinding implements,and creating the conduit form might comprise removing material bycutting or grinding.

In the illustrated embodiment, the method 500 further comprisesinstalling the conduit in the conduit form (block 510). In some cases,installing the conduit might comprise merely placing the conduit intothe form (or, in some cases, the surface itself, if the conduit is notinstalled into a form). In other cases, the method 500 might furthercomprise adhering the conduit to the surface and/or the form, usingglue, fasteners, or other adhesives.

In some embodiments, the method 500 comprises joining two sections ofapical conduit (block 515). As noted above, in a set of embodiments, anapical conduit 105 might be configured to allow the insertion of buttsplice tubes 185 into either end of the individual channels 120 (intowhich telecommunication lines can be inserted). Thus, in an aspect,joining two sections of conduit 105 might comprise inserting one end ofa butt splice tube 185 into each of one or more channels 120 in asection of conduit 105 and inserting the other end of the butt splicetube 185 into a corresponding channel 120 in a second section of conduit105. The two sections of conduit 105 can then be positioned so that theyare adjoining, with the butt splice tubes 185 providing a relativelyseamless transition in the individual channels 120 of each section ofconduit 105. Joining two sections of conduit 105 might further comprisebonding the butt splice tube 185 to the channel 120 in one or bothsections of conduit 105, or bonding the two adjoining sections ofconduit 105 to each other, using any suitable adhesive and/or mechanicalfastener(s).

The method might further comprise pulling or otherwise installingoptical fibers or other telecommunication lines into the conduit (i.e.,into one or more of the channels 120 in the conduit 105), either beforeor after the conduit 105 itself has been installed (block 520). Avariety of different installation techniques are known, and any suitabletechnique can be used in accordance with different embodiments.

At block 525, the method comprises removing the conduit 105, e.g., withan ACRT 175. As noted above, in some cases, the conduit 105 and/or thesurrounding material might be heated to facilitate removal. Ifnecessary, the ACRT 175 can cut or detach any supporting ribs 130 fromthe conduit 105. In other cases, the ribs 130 might be removed with therest of the conduit 105, optionally in such a fashion as to allow reuseof the conduit 105 in a different installation.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate cross sections of another set ofembodiments of apical conduits. In the illustrated embodiments 600, theconduits 605 of FIGS. 15A and 15B share similar design.

In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 15A, an apical conduit 605 isgenerally formed with into a trapezoidal shape. As described furtherbelow, the apical conduit 605 consists of exterior armor 610, chaseway615 (which functions, e.g., as described above with respect to chaseway190 or chaseway 310), and one or more micro-ducts 620 and/or buffertubes 625.

In an aspect of some embodiments, the apical conduit 605 might beencompassed (wholly or partially) by an armor covering 610. This armorcould be of any material providing appropriate protection to the apicalconduit 605, including without limitation, steel, Kevlar or otherprotective materials. Although not shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the armor610 can extend, in some embodiments, across the bottom of the apicalconduit 605 (i.e., across the surface 630 adjacent the road surface 635,e.g., as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B), providing a complete 360 degree(viewed cross-sectionally) armor 610 encasing the conduit 605. The armor610 can be integrally coupled to the internal apical conduit chaseways615. The coupling technique can be specific to the construction materialof the armor and causeway, but some exemplary coupling methods caninclude gluing and welding. The armor 610 may be stained, painted orotherwise colored. In one embodiment, the armor 610 is painted to blendinto the environment. In another embodiment, the armor 610 is paintedsuch that it can be used as a lane marker on a roadway. In yet anotherembodiment, the apical conduit 605 is marked with signage to preventtampering and/or to provide contact information for repair when damaged.

The internal apical conduit 605 can comprise chaseway 615 comprising asupport structure 615 a of one or more triangular chaseways 615 b eitherformed or bonded together. The chaseways 615 b can be made of anymaterials that offer structural integrity such as fiberglass, plastics,and rubber. The triangular shape helps distribute the force of any loadplaced on the apical conduit 605 and prevent damaging apical conduitpayloads.

A chaseway 615 b may contain a micro-duct 620. The cylindricalmicro-duct 620 may be placed to assist in the installation of cablesthrough the micro-duct. In one embodiment, the chaseway structuralsupport 615 a and micro-duct 620 may be formed as in integral unit. Inanother embodiment, a micro-duct 620 is inserted into the chaseway 615.

The apical conduct 605 might also include one or more buffer tubes 625.Buffer tubes 625 are defined as manufactured self-contained cablebundles. In one embodiment, a buffer tube 625 is manufactured as asingle physical cable consisting of 12 individual fibers containedwithin the single physical cable. One or more buffer tubes 625 may existin a micro-duct 620 or chaseway 615. Zero or more chaseways 615 may beestablished to support buffer tubes 625.

Buffer tubes 625 and/or chaseways 615 may utilize gels or other fluidsto fill cavities and prevent freeze damage due to ground-water pooling.Additionally, gels may act as lubricants during cable installations.

As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the apical conduit 605 can be placed uponand/or attached to a road surface 635. The surface 635 could be any hardsurface such as sidewalks, driveways, asphalt, or concrete. Attachmentcould be made using glue, screws, nails, or other means. The basicapical conduit shape may vary slightly to accommodate attachmentmethods. In one embodiment the center chaseway 615 c may be reservedsuch that screws can be placed in this space to attach the apicalconduit 605 to the surface 635. In another embodiment, the centerchaseway 615 c may be square or rectangular to facilitate attachmentplacements.

In some embodiments, an apical conduit might be implemented as a numberof micro-ducts and/or fiber tubes encased within a protective enclosure,which can be pre-manufactured (as described above), and/or cast inplace. In such embodiments, the micro-ducts and/or fiber tubes might beplaced in a groove of a roadway (or other surface) and held in placewith one or more staging devices or staging clips, and the protectiveenclosure can be placed around and/or over the emplaced microductsand/or fiber tubes. FIGS. 16-19 illustrate a few such embodiments. Itshould be noted, however, that while the description below of FIGS.16-19 refers to fiber plant (e.g., loose tube fiber, microducts, etc.),such embodiments can be used for the installation of any type oftelecommunication lines.

FIG. 16 illustrates a partial sectional view shows the placement of thecomponents in the roadway for a main run of a portion of an apicalsystem 1600 comprising one or more microducts 1605 and/or fibers 1610.The system 1600 employs a groove cut into a roadway surface 1615 (e.g.,in a manner discussed above), such as an asphalt or concrete road; thisparticular embodiment is placed on the edge of the road, near a standardcurb structure 1620 and can be filled and/or covered with a cappingmaterial 1625 (which, in an aspect, might be a thermoplastic cover, apolymer that is applied as a liquid and subsequently hardens, etc.).Grooves of varying sizes can be used for the placement of the apicalsystem 1600, and in some aspects, the size of the groove can be directlyrelated to the number of microducts 1605 and/or fiber 1610 to be placedin the system 1600. In other aspects, the groove will not penetrate theunderlying roadbed 1640 as a microtrench system would. Merely by way ofexample, in some embodiments, the groove depth might not exceed 40% ofthe depth of the roadway surface 1615, e.g., to preventseparation/structural failure of the roadway from movement and otherdynamic forces.

In the illustrated embodiment, the apical system 1600 can comprise oneor more microducts 1605 with blown fiber and/or loose tube fiber 1610placed in the system. The microducts 1605 and/or fibers 1610 can be heldin place by a staging device 1630 that separates the microducts 1605and/or fibers 1610 and/or stabilizes those components in place. Such astaging device 130 can provide stability for the microducts 1605 and/orfibers 1610 in capped embodiments and/or can allow a polymer material toflow between the tubes/fibers to provide additional protection fromimpact and compression in such embodiments. Where needed, the system1600 may also contain staging clips 1635 that prevent themicroduct/fibers from floating out of the polymer during placement ofthe polymer. Such staging devices 130 and/or clips 135 can be placed inthe groove at any appropriate interval that allows them to serve thefunctions described above, such as every foot, every two feet, everyfive feet, every ten feet, etc.

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of a staging device 1630. In oneaspect, the staging device 1630 can be is used to hold one or moremicroducts and/or fibers in place during placement of an apical systemplant and/or to provide structural stability after placement. The device1630 will hold the plant (e.g., microducts and/or fibers) in place bymeans of channels designed to stack the fiber plant allowing for themaximum volume of plant in the road bed groove. The illustrated exampleshows a vertical placement but the system may also use an angledapproach to allow a denser placement of the fiber plant—i.e. the plantis place in a herring bone pattern to avoid spaces between the microductand/or fiber. The device 1630 also provides the ability to capture themicroduct and/or fiber in place via flexible tangs 1705, which definecapture areas 1710 into which microduct and/or fiber can be laid. Thesize and spacing of the tangs 1705 (and the capture areas 1710 definedthereby) can be dimensioned appropriately depending on the size of thefiber and/or microduct to be used. As illustrated, the tangs 1705 canhave distended end portions to prevent escape by the fiber and/ormicroduct after placement. In some embodiments, the staging device 1630can include features (such as the flexible grips 1720 in the sides ofthe illustrated embodiment) to hold the entire device 1630 and fibersecurely in the road groove. Staging devices 1630 can be manufacturedfrom any suitable material (including plastics, foams, metals, and thelike) and can be manufactured in many different configurations and sizesto accommodate multiple microduct sizes and/or fiber counts.

FIG. 18 illustrates a staging clip 1635 in accordance with one set ofembodiments. In some implementations, such staging clips 1635 be used asrequired to hold the microduct and/or fiber in place as the cappingmaterial over or into the road groove. Such staging clips 1635 can alsobe used at transition points, such an exit from a Fiber Distributionhub, directional changes in the groove (around a corner), and otherneeds. These clips 1635 can be positioned and/or spaced as required.

Although apical conduits often are used to transport fiber or othercommunication lines along a ground surface, some embodiments can alsosupport ground-penetrating installations. Merely by way of example, afiber or microduct might transition from a roadway conduit to aresidence (for example, in a fiber-to-the-home (“FTTH”) installation),while other fibers/microducts in the conduit might continue along theconduit run. FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate one embodiment that can beemployed in such a scenario. FIG. 19A illustrates a fiber plant 1900 insitu, while FIG. 19B illustrates the same fiber plant 1900 isolated fromthe installation environment, to better illustrate various features.

FIG. 19A illustrates a technique for penetrating a roadway to transitionone or more microduct and/or fiber to the surrounding area, e.g., forconnection to subscriber premises (which could be residential, business,etc.). An angled bore 1905 can be executed in the bottom of the roadgroove to allow microduct and/or fiber (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 19A and19B, loose tube fiber 1610 a) to connect to a direct buried fiber plant(e.g., a microduct, not shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B) and/or to allow theloose tube fiber plant to be placed through the roadway 1615. Under theroadway 1615, a second ground penetration 1915 can be made in theunderlying material (e.g., compacted roadbed 1640) from the side of theroadway to meet at the bottom of the angled bore 1905. This can beaccomplished via vacuum excavation, hand digging, or any other suitablemethod of removing the ground and/or roadbed materials. A transitionline 1910 (e.g., a microduct) can be placed via this ground penetrationto the bottom of the angled bore, and this transition line 1910 canconnect the desired fiber plant in the groove (e.g., fiber 1610 a) withthe direct buried fiber installation. (It should be noted that thetransition line 1910 can comprise the direct-buried fiber plant, one ormore of the lines 1605, 1610 in the groove (e.g., fiber 1610 a), and/ora separate line that is coupled with each.) A special tool can be usedto grip the microduct 1910 material at the bottom of the angled bore andpull it up to the road grove for connection. If a loose tube fiber plant(e.g., fiber 1610 a) is to be placed from the road groove through theground penetration, the tool can be used in reverse to pull the fiber(e.g., 1610 a) from the bottom of the angled bore 1915 to the side ofthe road.

In an aspect, the microduct and/or fiber (e.g., fiber 1610 a) to berouted through the ground penetration can be angled (using conventionaltechniques as required) to produce a transition bend 1920. Further, asnecessary, a coupling device 1925 can be used to couple the fiber (e.g.,1610 a) or microduct to the microduct 1910 that has been pulled from theroadbed penetration 1915 through the angled bore 1905 (such a devicemight not be needed for loose fiber tubes that will be direct buriedwithout a microduct 1910). In some embodiments, the angled bore 1905 canbe filled with polymer or another backfill material to fix thetransition microduct 1910 and/or fiber in place. This will also restorethe integrity of the roadbed as such backfill materials can have thesame or better physical characteristics as the removed asphalt orconcrete road materials. In some cases, this backfill can be performedintegrally with the operation of capping or filling the groove, asdescribed in further detail above.

FIG. 20 illustrates a method 2000 of installing one or moretelecommunication lines, such as an apical fiber plant, examples ofwhich are illustrated by FIG. 16-19. The method 2000 can comprisecreating a groove in a roadway surface (block 2005), e.g., using any ofthe techniques described above. The method 2000 can further comprisepositioning one or more telecommunication lines (e.g., loose fibertubes, microducts, other cables, etc.) within the groove, for example asillustrated by FIGS. 16 and 19A. At block 2015, some embodimentscomprise fixing the telecommunication lines in place within the groove(e.g., using one or more staging devices and/or staging clips, asdescribed above). If any of the telecommunication lines are to betransitioned to a direct-buried installation (e.g., for a run to asubscriber premises), the method 2000 can include, at block 2020,creating an angled bore extending from the groove, e.g., to a groundpenetration extending from a side of the roadway as shown in FIG. 19A,and/or, at block 2025, connecting at least one of the one or moretelecommunication lines with a direct-buried fiber plant system througha transition line extending through the angled bore. At block 2030, themethod 2000 can comprise capping the groove, e.g., by disposing acapping material at least partially in the groove to protect the one ormore telecommunication lines.

While certain features and aspects have been described with respect toexemplary embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize thatnumerous modifications are possible. For example, while various methodsand processes described herein may be described with respect toparticular structural and/or functional components for ease ofdescription, methods provided by various embodiments are not limited toany particular structural and/or functional architecture but instead canbe implemented with any suitable devices. Similarly, while certainfunctionality is ascribed to certain system components, unless thecontext dictates otherwise, this functionality can be distributed amongvarious other system components in accordance with the severalembodiments.

Further, while the procedures of the methods and processes describedherein are described in a particular order for ease of description,unless the context dictates otherwise, various procedures may bereordered, added, and/or omitted in accordance with various embodiments.Moreover, the procedures described with respect to one method or processmay be incorporated within other described methods or processes;likewise, system components described according to a particularstructural architecture and/or with respect to one system may beorganized in alternative structural architectures and/or incorporatedwithin other described systems. Hence, while various embodiments aredescribed with—or without—certain features for ease of description andto illustrate exemplary aspects of those embodiments, the variouscomponents and/or features described herein with respect to a particularembodiment can be substituted, added and/or subtracted from among otherdescribed embodiments, unless the context dictates otherwise.Consequently, although several exemplary embodiments are describedabove, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to coverall modifications and equivalents within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A conduit for one or more cables, the conduitcomprising: a body defining one or more channels each configured toreceive one or more telecommunication lines, the body having a firstface that is substantially planar and a second face opposing the firstface, the second face having a low rise arc profile, the second facebeing configured to be installed into a depression in a material, suchthat the first face is disposed substantially flush with a surface ofthe material when the conduit is installed in a first configuration. 2.The conduit of claim 1, wherein the first face is configured to beplaced on the surface of the material, such that the second facepresents a low profile to traffic traveling over the conduit, when theconduit is installed in a second configuration.
 3. The conduit of claim1, wherein the one or more telecommunication lines comprise one or moreoptical fibers.
 4. The conduit of claim 1, wherein the conduit comprisesa first section configured to be joined with a second section.
 5. Theconduit of claim 4, wherein at least one of the one or more channels hasan enlarged end portion to allow for the insertion of a butt splice tubefor joining the first section with the second section.
 6. The conduit ofclaim 5, wherein the first section comprises a first channel, and thesecond section comprises a second channel, the butt splice tubeconfigured to be inserted partially into the first channel and partiallyinto the second channel, such that the butt splice tube provides arelatively seamless transition between the first channel and the secondchannel
 7. The conduit of claim 6, wherein the at least one channel hasa first cross-sectional diameter, wherein the enlarged end portion has asecond cross-sectional diameter that is larger than the firstcross-sectional diameter, and wherein the butt splice tube has an innercross-sectional diameter roughly equal to the first cross-sectionaldiameter and an outer cross-sectional diameter roughly equal to thesecond cross-sectional diameter.
 8. The conduit of claim 1, furthercomprising a support rib extending from the second face away from thebody, the second face corresponding to a groove in a conduit formcreated by the depression in the material, wherein the support ribprevents displacement of the conduit relative to the conduit form. 9.The conduit of claim 8, wherein the support rib provides additionalbonding surface between the conduit and the conduit form.
 10. Theconduit of claim 1, further comprising a chaseway disposed within atleast one of the channels, the chaseway defining at least one micro-ductconfigured to hold a telecommunication line.
 11. The conduit of claim 1,further comprising an armor covering surrounding at least a portion ofan exterior of the body
 12. The conduit of claim 1, further comprisingone or more buffer tubes disposed within at least a second one of thechannels.
 13. The conduit of claim 1, further comprising a triangularlattice support structure inside the body, the support structuredefining at least some of the one or more channels.
 14. A method ofinstalling a conduit, the method comprising: installing a conduit into adepression in a material, wherein the conduit comprises a body definingone or more channels configured to receive a telecommunication line, thebody having a first face that is substantially planar and a second faceopposing the first face, the second face having a low rise arc profile,the second face being configured to be installed into the depression inthe material, such that the first face is disposed substantially flushwith the surface of the material when the conduit is installed in afirst configuration; and inserting one or more telecommunication linesinto the conduit.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or moretelecommunication lines comprise one or more optical fibers.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the conduit comprises a first section and asecond section, the method further comprising: joining the first sectionwith the second section.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the firstsection comprises a first channel, and the second section comprises asecond channel, and wherein joining the first section with the secondsection comprises: inserting a first end of the butt splice tubepartially into the first channel; inserting a second end of the buttsplice tube partially into the first channel; and positioning the firstsection adjoining the second section, such that the butt splice tubeprovides a relatively seamless transition between the first channel andthe second channel.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the conduitfurther comprises a chaseway disposed within at least one of thechannels, the chaseway defining at least one micro-duct configured tohold a telecommunication line.
 19. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: bonding the conduit to the depression in the material. 20.The method of claim 19, wherein the conduit further comprises a supportrib extending from the second face away from the body, the second facecorresponding to a groove in a conduit form created by the depression inthe material, wherein the support rib prevents displacement of theconduit relative to the conduit form, and wherein the support ribprovides additional bonding surface between the conduit and the conduitform.